✦ A Nursery Rhyme ✦

Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been?

A traditional Mother Goose nursery rhyme

Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to visit the Queen! And what did the cat do there? Frightened a little mouse under her chair.

Watch the Read-Aloud Read the Rhyme

Read aloud by Storyland Classics  ✦  29 seconds  ✦  Watch on YouTube

✦ The Rhyme ✦

Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been?

Traditional English nursery rhyme. Public domain.

Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to visit the Queen. Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there? I frightened a little mouse under her chair.

✦ About the Rhyme ✦

A Cat Visits the Queen

“Pussycat, Pussycat” was first printed in 1805. It is a conversation, with one question and one answer in each half.

The cat travels all the way to London to see the Queen, and then does exactly what a cat would do anywhere: chase a mouse. Some say the Queen was Elizabeth I, but the rhyme works for any queen.

✦ Talk About It ✦

Questions to Share

  • Where did the pussycat go?
  • What did the cat do there?
  • If you visited the Queen, what would you do?

✦ Keep Reading ✦

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